In 1995, when CCC Celt started the Celtic Directory, we also decided that the 150th Anniversary of the Great Hunger in Ireland was the proper time to place materials about this horrific event, which most thought was only “the great potato famine”, into libraries. We identified 8 books and 2 videos, which we believed to be not only informative but also highly respected, and dubbed these, “A Great Hunger Education Set”. With some input from the Federation Famine Education Committee, part of the Federation of Irish-American Societies of the Delaware Valley, we modified this list for high school libraries. With books going out of print and price changes, we have made, and will continue to make, changes to the materials offered. Presently this Set is composed of 9 books and a single video.
Without the resources to underwrite this project on our own, we actively sought out those who, using our purchasing discount, would be willing to sponsor such a Set into a library of their choice. Our donation to this effort is to send the recommended list along with potential substitutes; order the books, affix a face plate identifying the donor, and then deliver them according to the donor’s wishes. We also advise the donor of the importance of publicizing the gift (to make people aware that the material is in their library). Over the first nine 9 years, through the generosity of individuals and organizations, Sets had been placed in 86 libraries throughout southeastern PA, southern NJ and Delaware. In June of 2005 the Irish Culture Club of Delaware ordered 21 additional Sets, so now all 30 public libraries in that state have a Set. Presently a total of 109 Sets have been placed. About 25 high school and college libraries are included in this number. Check your library. You may find it has been a recipient.
Several years ago The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (Philadelphia) sponsored Sets into twelve colleges, while the late Joe McGinnis of Levittown has been responsible for all the Bucks County high schools getting a Set.
In 1999 we turned our efforts to what we consider a most important area in keeping our Celtic cultures alive – the youth. We have created 2 Youth Sets; a Celtic Youth Set of 10 books and an Irish Youth Set. Both Sets were targeted for ages 9 – 14. The original Irish Youth Set had 12 books. While originally appropriate for grammar school or middle school libraries, the Irish Set has since been modified for high school libraries. CCC Celt will supply the same services explained above. Sponsorship fee is $110/$120. The Set makes a great gift to a school library, whether it is given in your name or as a memorial. Presently, over 130Irish Youth Sets have been sponsored, with 2 more on order. Mid-Atlantic AOH and LAOH Divisions have been active sponsors. Individually, Larry Moran of North Wales, Jack McNamee of CJ McGee’s, John McShea of McShea’s Restaurant and Frank Byrne of Byrne’s Tavern have sponsored multiple Sets. Sets have been placed in libraries as distant as Rhode Island, South Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.
Our next outreach program was a famine video for school children (“Under the Hawthorn Tree”), which came with a Study Guide. LAOH Division 87 Philadelphia sponsored the first 10 copies into Philadelphia schools. 20 others have been placed including ones in South Carolina, Ohio, New Jersey and Indianapolis. IBM Corporation sponsored the Study Guide that came with this video, as well as 25 copies of the video for inner city schools. The video was appropriate for grades 6 to 12.
Our newest Set, which is now available, is a 7-book collection appropriate for young people ages 9 to 16. The books included are Marita Conlon-McKenna’s trilogy on the Great Hunger and 4 mysteries by Brenna Briggs (somewhat like Nancy Drew but with a young Irish dancer as the sleuth. Irish history and culture are weaved throughout this series. These 4 books ate more appropriate for young dancers.
As mentioned in the History segment CCC Celt now offers an annual $1,500 scholarship to a Bucks County Community College student. This scholarship, presently funded by donated prints of Bernie Croke’s photography (all taken in Ireland), is named the CCC Celt/Bernard W. Croke Scholarship. Amanda Woolley of Levittown was the 2004 winner, Donna Mayer of Holland in 2005, Oksama Antoniak in 2006, Shanna Reilly in 2007, and Lauren George in 2008. It seems to be a woman’s world.
These are our present projects. We are willing to look into new projects in which our resources can make a difference, and which we believe will advance the Celtic culture.
If you are interested in more information on one of these Sets or Video offerings, please contact us through this site, or by phone at 215 355-7567, 267 253-9532. Our mailing address is CCC Celt, P.O. Box 1063, Newtown, PA 18940. Working together we can pass the culture on.
